(1)Dual mechanical seal. Each agitator equipped with a dual mechanical seal system that includes a barrier fluid system is exempt from the requirements of paragraph (b) of this section provided the requirements specified in paragraphs (e)(1)(i) through (vi) of this section are met.

(i) Each dual mechanical seal system shall meet any one of the following requirements:

(A) Operated with the barrier fluid at a pressure that is at all times (except during periods of startup, shutdown, or malfunction) greater than the agitator stuffing box pressure; or

(iii) Each barrier fluid system is equipped with a sensor that will detect failure of the seal system, the barrier fluid system, or both.

(iv) Each agitator seal is checked by visual inspection each calendar week for indications of liquids dripping from the agitator seal. If there are indications of liquids dripping from the agitator seal at the time of the weekly inspection, the owner or operator shall follow either of the following procedures prior to the next required inspection:

(v) Each sensor as described in paragraph (e)(1)(iii) of this section is observed daily or is equipped with an alarm unless the agitator seal is located within the boundary of an unmanned plant site.

(vi) The owner or operator of each dual mechanical seal system shall meet the following requirements:

(A) The owner or operator shall determine based on design considerations and operating experience criteria that indicates failure of the seal system, the barrier fluid system, or both and that are applicable to the presence and frequency of drips. If indications of liquids dripping from the agitator seal exceed the criteria, or if based on the criteria the sensor indicates failure of the seal system, the barrier fluid system, or both, a leak is detected and shall be repaired pursuant to § 65.105, as applicable.

(B) The owner or operator shall keep records of the design criteria and an explanation of the design criteria, and any changes to these criteria and the reasons for the changes.

(2)No external shaft. Any agitator that is designed with no externally actuated shaft penetrating the agitator housing is exempt from paragraph (b) of this section.

(4)Unmanned plant site. Any agitator that is located within the boundary of an unmanned plant site is exempt from the weekly visual inspection requirement of paragraphs (b)(3) and (e)(1)(iv) of this section, and the daily requirements of paragraph (e)(1)(v) of this section provided that each agitator is visually inspected as often as practical and at least monthly.

(5)Difficult-to-monitor agitator seals. Any agitator seal that is designated as described in § 65.103(c)(2) as a difficult-to-monitor agitator seal is exempt from the requirements of paragraph (b) of this section and the owner or operator shall monitor the agitator seal according to the written plan specified in § 65.103(c)(4).

(6)Equipment obstructions. Any agitator seal that is obstructed by equipment or piping that prevents access to the agitator by a monitor probe is exempt from the monitoring requirements of paragraph (b) of this section.

(7)Unsafe-to-monitor agitator seals. Any agitator seal that is designated as described in § 65.103(c)(1) as an unsafe-to-monitor agitator seal is exempt from the requirements of paragraph (b) of this section and the owner or operator of the agitator seal monitors the agitator seal according to the written plan specified in § 65.103(c)(4).

This is a list of United States Code sections, Statutes at Large, Public Laws, and Presidential Documents, which provide rulemaking authority for this CFR Part.